I've got 3 or 4 worthy classical candidates for most amazing solo piano recording:
1. Chopin, Etudes, Murray Perahia. Sony CD. Recorded in 2001; engineered by Andreas Neubronner. Dazzling. The best playing I've ever heard from Perahia (and I've heard a lot of him, both live and recorded), the best version of the Chopin Etudes, and the best piano sound ever heard from Sony. (The sound is exceptionally vivid, close-up, and full-range; if you don't like close-up piano sound, you won't like this one.)
2. Piano Transcriptions, various composers, Arcadi Volodos. Sony CD. Recorded in 1996; engineered by Richard King. Simply astonishing playing, and first-rate piano sound. If you like virtuoso piano transcriptions, you'll love this one. Great fun.
3. Nojima Plays Liszt. Reference Recordings CD. Recorded in 1986; engineered by "Profesor" Keith Johnson. This one is already well known to many audiophiles and piano buffs, but it won't hurt to recommend it again. Breathtaking pianism and superb sound. The companion volume, Nojima Plays Ravel, also on RR, is also excellent. (I have reviews of both on Amazon.com.)
1. Chopin, Etudes, Murray Perahia. Sony CD. Recorded in 2001; engineered by Andreas Neubronner. Dazzling. The best playing I've ever heard from Perahia (and I've heard a lot of him, both live and recorded), the best version of the Chopin Etudes, and the best piano sound ever heard from Sony. (The sound is exceptionally vivid, close-up, and full-range; if you don't like close-up piano sound, you won't like this one.)
2. Piano Transcriptions, various composers, Arcadi Volodos. Sony CD. Recorded in 1996; engineered by Richard King. Simply astonishing playing, and first-rate piano sound. If you like virtuoso piano transcriptions, you'll love this one. Great fun.
3. Nojima Plays Liszt. Reference Recordings CD. Recorded in 1986; engineered by "Profesor" Keith Johnson. This one is already well known to many audiophiles and piano buffs, but it won't hurt to recommend it again. Breathtaking pianism and superb sound. The companion volume, Nojima Plays Ravel, also on RR, is also excellent. (I have reviews of both on Amazon.com.)